My experiences starting oils

March 2026

Trying oils has been on my mind for a couple of years. I have many painter friends who paint in oil and I have painted alongside them many times in plein air outings. The deep richness that oils can achieve was a real attraction.

As luck would have it, three events happened this past summer: A friend from my plein air group was transitioning oil paint brands and she generously gifted me many tubes of Gamblin Artist Oil tubes plus a good supply of panels. Next, the Tucson Drawing Studio had a beginner oil painting 5-week class in August and September. And to top it off, I registered for the annual September Strada Challenge with the plan to focus on oils. I got a few other supplies including mediums, some brushes from Rosemary & Co and a palette, and I was all set. It’s been three months and my big learnings are:

Skill in one medium informs another. As a watercolor artist, I understand the benefits of pre-planning, doing value studies, and focusing on composition design. Bringing those planning skills to oils is a big plus.

Using a limited palette is massively beneficial. It reminds me of the famous quote by the pioneering advertising executive David Ogilvy who founded the Ogilvy & Mather agency who said “give me the freedom of the tight brief”. Essentially, we think that the constraint of a limited palette is a negative thing. But it is massively liberating because it provides us with balance, harmony, and the knowledge of how the pigments work together. I started with Cad Lemon, Cad Red Medium, Ultramarine Blue, and Titanium White. I am considering switching out the Cad Red to Alizarin - but that’s for another day.

Mediums - and their uses confuses me. Plus - there are so many choices! When I started I did not understand fat over lean (as it relates to mediums) and thick over thin (as it relates to the amount of paint). I liken this learning curve to how the amounts of water are used in watercolor painting and how that amount of water changes as the painting develops. For oils, I use Gambsol for thinning initial layers and Gamblin’s Solvent-free Gel Safflower Oil-Based Medium when I feel the need to loosen the paint.

I am so glad I have entered the world of oils because I feel it opens up new experiences and will enhance my painting adventures!